"Hitsugaya? Which division are you in?" Sojiro asked.
"10th Division, Third Seat," Toshiro said plainly.
"Third Seat! You're amazing, Hitsugaya!" Sojiro exclaimed in admiration.
Toshiro said nonchalantly, "It's just a third seat. Nothing major."
Indeed, it wasn't. In terms of strength, Toshiro was already at the peak of Captain-class. Among the Gotei 13's Captains, few could surpass him.
If Toshiro wanted, he could become a Captain anytime by challenging another Division's Captain.
"To become a Shinigami so young, and a third seat at that. You must be a genius, Hitsugaya," Sojiro praised.
"Hmm," Toshiro said noncommittally.
He was indeed a genius, the most talented person in Soul Society's history.
"Um... Hitsugaya..." Sojiro hesitated.
Toshiro looked at him puzzled. "What is it?"
"For some reason, I feel... very close to you. It's like we were already good friends. Can I call you Toshiro directly?" Sojiro looked at Toshiro expectantly.
"Close?" Toshiro was puzzled.
'Could it be because we were best friends in the anime, so this guy felt inexplicably close to me?'
Toshiro hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
"Great! Toshiro! Then we're friends from now on. You can call me Sojiro!" Sojiro said with instant familiarity.
"Friends?" Toshiro said meaningfully.
"Yeah! Friends!" Sojiro affirmed.
Toshiro thought to himself, 'I wonder if we'll ever cross swords again if we become friends now.'
'Well, probably not. After all, my Hyorinmaru isn't the original Hyorinmaru anymore. Kusaka Sojiro's Zanpakuto likely won't be the same as mine either. And him awakening Hyorinmaru might have been influenced by the original Toshiro.'
Toshiro pondered.
There was no official explanation why Sojiro's Zanpakuto was the same as Toshiro's. It was just a movie, not crucial to the main plot. Maybe the scriptwriter just made it up.
In his previous life, while watching the anime, Toshiro had seen many online discussions about this. Some thought Sojiro's Zanpakuto being Hyorinmaru was likely influenced by Toshiro awakening his own Zanpakuto.
After all, they were in adjacent rooms, awakening their Zanpakuto almost simultaneously.
As for why Central 46 didn't allow two identical Zanpakuto to exist, it might be Soul Society's custom. Some speculated that Zanpakuto were unique. If two identical ones appeared, it meant the Zanpakuto's power was divided, incomplete. Only by killing the other wielder could the two halves merge into one complete Zanpakuto.
But these were just speculations, not confirmed.
"However, Toshiro, I should clarify… I don't want to be friends with you just because you're a genius," Sojiro explained.
"Yes, I know," Toshiro nodded.
"Toshiro!"
Just then, Momo and the other 10th Division members arrived.
"Momo, you're here," Toshiro said.
"Toshiro, looks like you've dealt with the Hollow." Momo glanced around, there was no sign of the Hollow. It certainly hadn't escaped, so Toshiro must have slain it.
"Yes, just an ordinary Hollow," Toshiro nodded.
At this point, Sojiro spoke up. "Toshiro, are these also from the 10th Division?"
"Toshiro?" Momo looked at Sojiro, puzzled. Generally, if two people weren't close, they'd address each other by surname. Only close friends used first names. Toshiro didn't have many friends, Momo knew the few close ones, and this person wasn't among them.
Toshiro explained, "Momo, this is Kusaka Sojiro, a new student who passed the academy entrance exam this year. He was the one being chased by the Hollow."
Then Toshiro introduced to Sojiro, "This is Hinamori Momo. She just graduated from Shin'o Academy and is now a member of the 10th Division. She's also my girlfriend."
Sojiro proactively greeted Momo. "Hello! You've already graduated from Shin'o Academy? Seems I should call you Hinamori-senpai."
"Oh, hello. Are you and Toshiro friends?" Momo asked.
"Yes. Although Toshiro and I just met, it feels like we've known each other for ages," Sojiro answered.
Though Sojiro seemed more enthusiastic, Toshiro didn't say anything.
"By the way, Sojiro, don't you need to report to Shin'o Academy?" Toshiro reminded him.
"Right! I still need to report to the academy!" Sojiro suddenly realized.
"Crap! I'll be late for registration! I should go now, Toshiro. Let's meet again when we have the chance!" Sojiro said.
Then he hurriedly ran towards Shin'o Academy.
Watching Sojiro's departing figure, Toshiro couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Honestly, Toshiro didn't know how to interact with Sojiro.
In the original work, he was Toshiro's best friend, yet later became an enemy.
'Well, whatever. I'm not the original Toshiro. Let things take their natural course. Besides, who knows if we'll even meet again.'
Toshiro thought to himself.
Sojiro had just entered Shin'o Academy. Graduation would take years. Toshiro wouldn't go to the academy for no reason. Not seeing each other for years, Sojiro might even forget today's encounter.
Toshiro was about to leave with Momo and the other 10th Division's members when Sojiro, who had started walking away, suddenly stopped.
Sojiro turned back and said, "Oh, right, Toshiro! Serving Soul Society is the same in any division. So to repay you for saving my life, after I graduate from Shin'o Academy, I'll come find you in the 10th Division!"
With that, Sojiro walked away again, disappearing from Toshiro's sight.